The consensus among scouts was that, even though this isn't the best draft class, the just-concluded Under-18 World Championships in Germany was one of the best draft tournaments in recent memory. The U.S. team came home with gold again, the third straight win for the Ann Arbor, Michigan-trained team, but scouts in attendance say that you could throw a blanket over the four teams in the medal games. Here's a quick survey of scouts on several players who helped their stock at the U-18s:
Jonathan Miller, U.S.
When we last looked at the draft's top prospects, we were getting some negative feedback on Miller and we dropped him from our Top 50. Looks like we'll have to readjust that after this tournament.
"The best U.S. forward late in the season ... He made the transition to the big ice surface look easy," said one scout. "[He] used his wingers, read the play. Made his case for being a top-20 player (in this class). The U.S. has a lot of players whose upside in the league would be third- and fourth-line but Miller looks like he could be a second-line center for a winning team down the line."
To see Gare Joyce's assessment, you must be an ESPN Insider.
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Grant Sonier
Grant Sonier has scouted for six NHL organizations over the past 13 years, most recently for the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2010-11 season. He is a special contributor to ESPN Insider.
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Victoria Matiash
Victoria Matiash has served as a Fantasy Hockey columnist for ESPN.com since 2007, and contributor to NHL Rumor Central since 2010. She lives in Toronto.
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